This OSPI resource provides curated collections of free activities, lessons, units, and informational "texts" (articles, passages, e-books, videos, podcasts) to support every NGSS Performance Expectation (standard) in grades K-5.  This resource is intended to support teachers with teaching science while also integrating science and ELA to grow student knowledge, thinking, application, and skills in both content areas.  Materials are organized into units based on the topics and essential questions in each grade. Resources listed are all freely available online, with some requiring teachers to create free accounts to access.  Some trade books are also listed that might be accessed through a library system. Gratitude is expressed to the Washington State Science Fellows, Science Fellows Emeriti, and ELA Fellows who contributed to curating the informational texts.  For questions or comments contact OSPI Elementary Science at Kimberley.Astle@k12.wa.us. 

Kidney dissection illustrating the internal and external structural components. Urine formation discussed briefly as well.

An interactive lesson on developing literacy skills for young adult women, for ages 15 and above. This lesson focuses on the recognition and identification of the letters A, B, C, T.

(Work in progress!)
Attempted imitations of the 17 projects of LEGO set #9630 (Simple Mechanisms), plus its expansion motor set #9615, but using parts instead from the newer LEGO WeDo sets #9580 and #9585.
WeDo sets may be found in an increasing number of classrooms; they are intended to be introductory robotics sets but include lots of basic mechanism parts and projects.
Good preparation or extension activities for those who have WeDo sets (or perhaps an assortment of "Technic" parts).

The purpose of this exercise is to integrate modeling with field data. The activity includes links to a "virtual field trip" of maps and photographs. Data from a creek is included in the field trip and students use an Excel spreadsheet model to analyze the data.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

This book represents student research from the Applied Research Symposium at Lake Washington Institute of Technology on May 25, 2023. The Applied Research Committee welcomes and supports student work including research and project work in all disciplines across the college. In this issue, students contributed research from fields of mathematics, biology, microbiology, design, computer science, robotics, and public health. This was the third annual symposium on campus. The symposium was organized by the Applied Research Committee.

Students begin this investigation with an introduction to the types of fishing gear and how its use has changed over time. Students learn about irresponsible fishing practices and methods that can be used to make fishing more sustainable. They then watch a short video produced by PBS FlipSide Science, which outlines some tips for becoming a more responsible seafood consumer. The investigation culminates with students conducting an independent group research project exploring the availability of sustainable seafood in their community.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Students build a physical model to explore watershed features, then use Google Earth software to tie the model to a real place. By exploring several layers of map-based images and data, students develop an appreciation of the complexity of a watershed and river system in the context of a both a local and national scale.

(Note: this resource was added to OER Commons as part of a batch upload of over 2,200 records. If you notice an issue with the quality of the metadata, please let us know by using the 'report' button and we will flag it for consideration.)

Learn about position, velocity and acceleration vectors. Move the ladybug by setting the position, velocity or acceleration, and see how the vectors change. Choose linear, circular or elliptical motion, and record and playback the motion to analyze the behavior.

Join the ladybug in an exploration of rotational motion. Rotate the merry-go-round to change its angle, or choose a constant angular velocity or angular acceleration. Explore how circular motion relates to the bug's x,y position, velocity, and acceleration using vectors or graphs.

Join the ladybug in an exploration of rotational motion. Rotate the merry-go-round to change its angle, or choose a constant angular velocity or angular acceleration. Explore how circular motion relates to the bug's x,y position, velocity, and acceleration using vectors or graphs.

What farming practices can maintain good soil quality? Use the model to compare the effects of different landscapes, different crops, different tillage strategies, and climatic factors on soil quality and erosion rate. Watch the graphs to see how much topsoil is left in each zone and compare the erosion rates. Watch the soil quality indicator in the model to determine how different management plans affect soil quality.

Take a virtual tour of the prehistoric caves at Lascaux, France. The discovery of Lascaux in 1940 opened a new page in the knowledge of prehistoric art and our origins. Monumental work, the cave continues to feed the imagination and move the new generations of the world. This website is intended to help understand the secrets of the artists who painted and engraved bestiary at Lascaux 19,000 years ago, and to present the current trends in scientific research on the painted caves.

Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.

Create a laser by pumping the chamber with a photon beam. Manage the energy states of the laser's atoms to control its output.

The Moon is a constant celestial companion in classrooms around the world. Lunar phenomena has much to offer teachers as both an engaging narrative and visible presence in the sky that students have personally experienced.

This activity is a guided inquiry or demonstration where students investigate elastic potential energy and gravitational potential energy and interpret their findings as related to Newton's Laws of motion.

An ILD to help demonstrate the Law of Diminishing Marginal Returns using an experiment.

This site offers information about wind tunnels. Learn how to build a wind tunnel, read about wind tunnel history, download flow-simulation software, view experiments for grades 8-12, and link to other wind tunnel websites

This NetLogo model of leaf photosynthesis shows the macroscopic outcome of the reaction.